Frd No 17, located in Mitchell County, Kansas, is a vital Earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS in 1982 for flood risk reduction along Salt Creek. With a height of 36 feet and a length of 1900 feet, this dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction, providing a storage capacity of 870.2 acre-feet and a normal storage of 121.3 acre-feet over a drainage area of 2.47 square miles. The dam's spillway, with a width of 100 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for a maximum discharge of 2993 cubic feet per second.

Despite its fair condition assessment and significant hazard potential, Frd No 17 is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, ensuring its continued functionality and safety. It stands as a testament to effective collaboration between local and state governments, with the dam being owned and operated by the local government of Barnard. The dam's strategic location and design play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and protecting the surrounding community and environment from potential water-related disasters.